Golf stroke information

ABSTRACT

A scorekeeper may detect swing candidate and obtains a confirmation from a golfer that the swing candidate contributes to a golf score, provided that a sufficient gap in time or distance occurs after the last swing candidate is received. Next, the scorekeeper may receive a first feedback from the golfer indicating at least one stroke, and in response, update a score to reflect at the least one stroke, and storing the first location. The scorekeeper may repeat these steps to obtain at least a second swing candidate that is verified by the golfer as contributing to the score. In response to these verified swing candidates, the scorekeeper updates the score to reflect at the least one stroke, and store the second location.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer program product for tracking golf statistics and correlating those to geographic features.

Modern golf swing analyzers provide details of a golfer's swing while in a test environment that is remote from the golf course. While providing an abundance of detail concerning the orientation, placement and velocities of a golfer's limbs, they are unusable while on a golf course.

Other inventions determine when there is a ball-club contact, and rely on that information to assess scoring for a particular golfer. In every case, the prior art fails to assess whether an apparent golf club swing is actually to be used in scoring, or, rather, should be treated as a practice swing. Further, the prior art fails, in a timely fashion, prompt a golfer to indicate a penalty stroke.

These and other deficiencies are remedied by the invention to be disclosed.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present invention a method, apparatus and computer program product for collecting golf stroke information is shown. A scorekeeper may detect a first swing candidate, the first swing candidate having a first location associated therewith, and in response determining whether no secondary swing candidates are received for a predetermined time thereafter or distance from the first location. The scorekeeper, in response to a determination of no swing candidates being for a predetermined time thereafter or distance from the first location, may store the first location, first prompting a golfer to indicate whether zero, one or more strokes are to be associated with a last received swing candidate. Next, the scorekeeper may receive a first feedback from the golfer indicating at least one stroke, and in response, update a score to reflect at the least one stroke, and storing the first location. The scorekeeper may detect a second swing candidate, the second swing candidate having a second location associated therewith, and response, determine whether no secondary swing candidates are received for a predetermined time thereafter or distance from the second location and, in response to a determination of no secondary swing candidates being received for a predetermined time thereafter or distance from the second location storing the second location, the scorekeeper can further prompt the golfer to indicate whether zero, one or more strokes are to be associated with a last received swing candidate. Next, the scorekeeper may receive a second feedback from the golfer indicating at least one stroke, and in response, update the score to reflect the at least one stroke, and store the second location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a data processing system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a golfer's arm wearing an illustrated embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a data structure for storing golfing statistics in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of steps to collect golfing statistics in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of steps to store statistics of a golf game to a separate device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for displaying golf map information together with strokes previously struck shown by their relative position therein, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for interactive showing of golfing statistics connected with a specific golf club in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for collecting the hole location in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference now to the figures and in particular with reference to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a data processing system is shown in which aspects of an illustrative embodiment may be implemented. Data processing system 100 is an example of a computer, in which code or instructions implementing the processes of the present invention may be located. In the depicted example, data processing system 100 employs a hub architecture including a north bridge and memory controller hub (NB/MCH) 102 and a south bridge and input/output (I/O) controller hub (SB/ICH) 104. Processor 106, main memory 108, and graphics processor 110 connect to north bridge and memory controller hub 102. Graphics processor 110 may connect to the NB/MCH through an accelerated graphics port (AGP), for example.

In the depicted example, Global Position Service (GPS) transceiver 112 connects to south bridge and I/O controller hub 104 and audio adapter 116, user interface 120, Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth transceiver 122, read only memory (ROM) 124, hard disk drive (HDD) 126, near field communicator unit 130, universal serial bus (USB) ports and other communications ports 132, and accelerometer/inclinometer 134 connect to south bridge and I/O controller hub 104 through bus 138 and bus 140. An accelerometer is a device that measures acceleration in three dimensions. As an accelerometer/inclinometer, the device may also detect the relative orientation of the data processing system relative to a constant force of acceleration, such as the force of gravity, that is, downward. PCI/PCIe devices may include, for example, Ethernet adapters, add-in cards, and PC cards for notebook computers. PCI uses a card bus controller, while PCIe does not. ROM 124 may be, for example, a flash binary input/output system (BIOS). Hard disk drive 126 may use, for example, an integrated drive electronics (IDE) or serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) interface. A super I/O (SIO) device 136 may be connected to south bridge and I/O controller hub 104. Additionally, a vibration generator 137 may be addressable on bus 138.

An operating system runs on processor 106, and coordinates and provides control of various components within data processing system 100 in FIG. 1. The operating system may be a commercially available operating system such as Microsoft® Windows® XP. Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both. An object oriented programming system, such as the Java™ programming system, may run in conjunction with the operating system and provides calls to the operating system from Java™ programs or applications executing on data processing system 100. Java™ is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States, other countries, or both.

Instructions for the operating system, the object-oriented programming system, and applications or programs are located on computer readable tangible storage devices, such as hard disk drive 126, and may be loaded into main memory 108 for execution by processor 106. The processes of the embodiments can be performed by processor 106 using computer implemented instructions, which may be located in a memory such as, for example, main memory 108, read only memory 124, or in one or more peripheral devices.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardware in FIG. 1 may vary depending on the implementation. Other internal hardware or peripheral devices, such as flash memory, equivalent non-volatile memory, and the like, may be used in addition to or in place of the hardware depicted in FIG. 1. In addition, the processes of the illustrative embodiments may be applied to a multiprocessor data processing system.

In some illustrative examples, data processing system 100 may be a personal digital assistant (PDA), which is configured with flash memory to provide non-volatile memory for storing operating system files and/or user-generated data. A bus system may be comprised of one or more buses, such as a system bus, an I/O bus, and a PCI bus. Of course, the bus system may be implemented using any type of communications fabric or architecture that provides for a transfer of data between different components or devices attached to the fabric or architecture. A communication unit may include one or more devices used to transmit and receive data, such as a WiFi transceiver, modem or a network adapter. A memory may be, for example, main memory 108 or a cache such as found in north bridge and memory controller hub 102. A processing unit may include one or more processors or CPUs. The depicted example in FIG. 1 is not meant to imply architectural limitations. For example, data processing system 100 also may be a tablet computer, laptop computer, or telephone device in addition to taking the form of a PDA.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The description of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, one or more embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, embodiments may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable storage device(s) may be utilized. A computer readable storage device may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage device would include the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage device may be any tangible device that can store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The term “computer-readable storage device” does not encompass a signal propagation media such as a copper cable, optical fiber or wireless transmission media.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The illustrative embodiments permits a golfer to track his score, movements, penalties and even distances that a ball is struck. At least one embodiment allows a golfer to eliminate practice swings from being counted as a stroke by a device that relies on arm movements to detect swings. At least one embodiment relies on a device capable of being arm worn, otherwise called a scorekeeper, to detect the relative motions of the arm to at least develop sensible swing candidates for use adding to the golfer's current golf score. An arm worn device or scorekeeper is any data processing system that at least has the inclinometer/accelerometer 134 of FIG. 1 and can filter out movements unlikely to be a golf stroke. Accordingly, the scorekeeper, together with any peripheral devices, can develop and report scores, with the collaboration of the golfer, and provide statistical information to help a golfer become aware of his performance using specified clubs. A GPS feature, in the scorekeeper or peripheral device can enhance data detected on the golfer's arm via the inclinometer/accelerometer. As such, the inclinometer/accelerometer data and the GPS data can be combined to show distances a golf ball is struck and other statistics related to a golfer's performance golfing.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a golfer's arm wearing an illustrated embodiment of the invention. On the golfer's arm, the golfer can wear a scorekeeping device or scorekeeper illustrative embodiment of the invention. Scorekeeper 200 can include the features of data processing system of FIG. 1 above. The scorekeeper, as shown, can be worn at wrist 203. However, it is appreciated, that the scorekeeper may be attached and/or worn through the use of gloves, sleeves or any form of strap at other parts of the golfer's arm, for example, forearm 201 or hand 205. In such positions, the scorekeeper can detect the golfer's swings, and discriminate between those swings where the club actually strikes the ball, from those that do not. The features of a modern smart phone may suffice to produce the inclinometer/accelerometer data, provided the smart phone is attached with suitable straps, Velcro™, spandex or other materials designed to keep the device in contact with the golfer's arm sufficient to detect golfer movements. Nevertheless, the operation of a smart phone is merely one among several illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a data structure for storing golfing statistics in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. A scorekeeper can store records or rows where each row contains at least the stroke count for the hole or the position of the golf hole. For example, rows 321-326 show a golf score progressing through normal gameplay, while row 327 shows the data structure recording the final position of the ball in the hole. Accordingly, the data structure can store stroke count 301, the club used 303, any penalties or added strokes 305, latitude 307, longitude 308, elevation 309, and presence of the ball in the hole 311.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of steps to collect golfing statistics in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Initially, the scorekeeper may receive a signal to initiate measurements and score (step 401). Next, the scorekeeper may detect a swing candidate (step 403). The swing candidate is selected from motions on the basis that a recent motion that fits a criteria for a golf swing, is selected as a candidate swing. The scorekeeper can also receive a location corresponding to the swing candidate, which may be a triplet of latitude, longitude and elevation. A swing candidate can be any movement that detects a downward movement followed by an upward movement. Further discrimination may occur by detecting a relative pause at each of the top-most points in the curve of the swing candidate. Such a pause need not leave the sensor stationary, but can have a feature of reaching the peak, and immediately accelerate into a down-stroke. In other words, movements that either halt the upward swings or pause to a level the human eye would perceive as motionless are sufficient to mark the tops of the down-stroke and the subsequent follow-through. However, many such movements are indistinguishable from practice swings. Each curve is detected by use of an accelerometer/inclinometer, for example, accelerometer/inclinometer 134 of FIG. 1. Additional screening out of candidate swings can occur on the basis of GPS locations being detected that place the golfer outside the regions of in-bounds fair play of a golf ball, as might occur in the roofed structures of a country club, or on a paved surface. Necessarily, the scorekeeper would obtain or be made containing the boundaries of fair play for the golf course or courses at which a golfer would play.

Accordingly, movements that meet the criteria, stated above, start a time-out clock running, for example, up to 20 seconds, which is a period that for most golfers, is never exceeded between practice strokes or other addressing of the golf ball as it lies on the course. Such a time-out could be adjustable to suit the preferences of the golfer, through, for example, a user interface that asks for the golfer's preferences. Accordingly, a candidate swing, followed by a lapse of swinging motions longer than this predetermined period of a time-out, can indicate that the golfer has completed his stroke, and is now returning to a golf cart, moving to wait alongside the tee, or is otherwise no longer aligning with the fairway or stretching his arms to better prepare for the actual strike. Thus, next, the scorekeeper may determine whether the time-out is reached (step 405). If not, the scorekeeper may determine if the golfer has moved a sufficient distance from a previously recorded swing candidate (step 407). The distance, can be 15 feet, or some other predetermined distance, that at least is larger than any predicted error in the GPS received location and/or a distance between the tee markers. A negative determination at step 407 returns the scorekeeper to step 403 where it may repeatedly detects swing candidates.

A positive determination, at ether of steps 405 or 407, causes the scorekeeper to prompt the golfer for a number of strokes (step 409). The prompt can be a message, displayed to a display on the scorekeeper, that a number of strokes is requested. The scorekeeper, in addition, may discreetly vibrate the data processing device to additionally get the attention of the golfer that a stroke count is required, for example, by signaling a vibration generator such as, for example, vibration generator 137 of FIG. 1. In any case, the vibration generator is on the person of the golfer such that the sensation of vibrating is apparent to the golfer. Thus, at this time, the golfer can add a stroke for hitting the golf ball into the water, out of bounds, and the like as feedback (step 411). The golfer may enter zero—in which case, the scorekeeper, having detected entry of zero (step 412) returns to step 403. In contrast, if the scorekeeper detects anything other than zero at step 412, processing can continue. Thus, in response to a negative result at step 412 the scorekeeper can use the feedback to tally the current stroke count and add the details to its data structure (step 413). At this time, the swing candidate, rather than being temporarily stored, is more permanently recorded within the data structure—and as such, is considered a recorded swing candidate. The data structure is, for example, at columns 301 and 305 in data structure 300 of FIG. 3. Moreover, latitude and longitude data, which may initially be temporarily recorded with the swing candidate at step 403 may now be more permanently recorded to data structure 300 along with elevation data. The latitude, longitude and elevation data may be derived from GPS signals received either directly at an arm-worn device, or indirectly, through a peripheral device. Latitude and longitude data, once stored to the data structure, can form a kind of anchor, that the scorekeeper uses as a reference to determine a relative distance the golfer from the position of the golf stroke, in real-time, as a golfer moves about the golf course.

Next, the scorekeeper may obtain the club identity for the recorded swing candidate (step 415). A recorded swing candidate is a swing that is confirmed by the golfer to contribute to the golfer's score. The club identity can be obtained by one of at least two ways. First, the scorekeeper may prompt the golfer to pick from a list, which club was used, for example, by using the user interface 120 to collect the selection from the golfer. Second, the scorekeeper may use a radio signal interrogation and response to detect, from a radio transponder embedded in the club, which is the identity of the club the golfer is holding. As such, near field communication (NFC) protocol and standard can be used to collect such information. Further prompting of the golfer can be made, such as via the first method, if the scorekeeper is unable to resolve which club is nearby—as may occur if the golfer dropped the club or handed it off in some way. As may be appreciated, the interrogation using NFC, may occur much earlier in the steps of method 400, for example, contemporaneously with step 403. A club identity can include the numeric indication of the amount of pitch the club face has. The club identity can indicate whether the club is a wood or an iron. The club identity can include a brand and/or model name. A near field communication protocol may have a nominal transmission range of up to 10 centimeters—which, in practice, may vary based on the placement of interfering objects between transmitter and radio transponder or based on other radio interference.

Next, the scorekeeper may display a distance of the golfer from the previously recorded swing candidate (step 417). In other words, the locations that correspond to the last two recorded swing candidates are used as end points to determine the linear distance the ball travelled for the stroke recorded immediately prior to the last recorded swing candidate. The distance can be a pure lateral distance, or the distance can include any relative change in elevation that the golf ball experienced when comparing the end points. Additionally, if the position of the green and/or corresponding hole is known by the scorekeeper, the GPS feature may periodically update a distance the golfer/scorekeeper is from the current hole. As such, the distance displayed can be a) from the last stroke taken; and/or b) to the current hole.

The scorekeeper may perform statistical analysis of the distance and the club used for the stroke recorded immediately prior to the last recorded swing candidate. In other words, the club may have a list of distances associated with it, that can include the distance just measured. Such a list can be used to compute averages, medians, standard deviations, average for the club for the current day, among other statistical measures. A golfer, may periodically consult these statistical measures by switching a mode of display in the scorekeeper to display a preferred statistic for the golfer. Similarly, when the golfer has the desired statistic, he may return the scorekeeper to the normal steps of process 400.

Next, the scorekeeper may prompt the golfer to indicate if the ball is in the hole (step 419). The golfer may respond either ‘yes’ or ‘no’. The scorekeeper can optionally receive the golfer indication that the ball is in the hole (step 421). If the golfer fails to answer or otherwise ignores the question, the scorekeeper may, by default, store to column 311 of data structure 300 data representative of ‘no’.

The scorekeeper, may, through information publicly recorded about the golf hole's location, available, for example, via an internet query, establish a final line corresponding to play at the current hole, such as row 327 in data structure 300 of FIG. 1. FIG. 8, below, is a flowchart showing the manner in which a hole location can be determined. Accordingly, row 327 does not increment the stroke-count from the previous row, and similarly, does not record a club, since the hole is the end point of strokes that link ball positions across the fairway and green for the hole. The hole location, obtained via the internet or other sources, can then be recorded, with reference to FIG. 3 as latitude, longitude 332 and elevation 333.

If the scorekeeper does not receive an indication that the ball is in the hole, processing resumes at step 403. However, a positive determination at step 423 can cause the scorekeeper to prompt the golfer to further refine the nature of the strokes made to take as a final score on a hole (step 425). Thus, at step 425, the golfer may confirm the strokes from tee to hole and/or subdivide the strokes already recorded to those made to get the ball on the green, and those while on the green. Thus, for example, the seven strokes recorded at FIG. 3 may be divided among the strokes to get on to the green; the strokes the golfer made while on the green. The number of fairway shots and the number of green shots can be stored accordingly.

Next, the scorekeeper can determine if 18 holes are completed, or alternatively, sufficient time has lapsed between either the first hole played, or the last recording of a swing candidate to determine that the game is finished or interrupted (step 427). If the game is not finished or interrupted, the scorekeeper resumes at step 403. Otherwise, processing may terminate thereafter.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart to display map details in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. At the command of the golfer, the scorekeeper may store statistics of the golf game to a separate device. Alternatively, the scorekeeper, may routinely, as scores and other data are received in FIG. 4, store statistics of the golf game to a separate device (step 501). The separate device can be a device that has a larger screen than the scorekeeper, and thereby show better detail. Such better detail can include, for example, maps of a course layout with ball play diagramed as a connect-the-dots arrangement of drives and putts, statistical distribution of ball distances produced by a particular club or other information. Such a separate device can be a tablet device, or a desktop computer, for example. The separate device can be a server, which is accessed through a tablet device or desktop computer.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for displaying golf map information and locations of each stroke. As such, the scorekeeper displays strokes together with map details (step 601). When the scorekeeper displays each location, it may do so in a map showing relative locations of each of the locations corresponding to recorded swing candidates with respect to features of a golf course. The features can be a location of the tee; a location of the green; a location of the pin; a location of a hazard; a location of a fairway, and the like.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for interactive showing of golfing statistics connected with a specific golf club in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Initially, the scorekeeper may receive a query for statistics concerning a specified golf club (step 701). If the scorekeeper makes a negative determination, the scorekeeper continues with whatever activity it was previously tasked with. However, if the scorekeeper obtains a positive determination at step 701, the scorekeeper may interrupt other activities of the scorekeeper, for example, receiving and distinguishing swing candidates from actual golf strokes, as is done in FIG. 4. In response to a positive determination, the scorekeeper may display statistics for a golf club, selected by the golfer (step 705).

The golfer, after reading the information, may resume other activities, such as that of FIG. 4, by indicating to the scorekeeper to quit displaying the statistics. Alternatively, the scorekeeper may simultaneously display statistics, together with data and/or prompts of FIG. 4, in a segment of the user interface screen devoted to statistical information.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for collecting the hole location in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Initially, the scorekeeper may determine whether the golfer is located on a green (step 801). This determination can be made with reference to GPS signals periodically received. Step 801 is repeated until the golfer is determined to be present on a green. Next, the scorekeeper may determine if a location of a hole is available from a public source (step 803). This step can be performed by making a query, for example, to websites on the internet. Despite a location being reported via an internet query, if the information is sufficiently outdated, the determination can be that the location of the information is not available.

Next, in response to a negative determination at step 803, the scorekeeper may prompt the golfer to step over the hole (step 805). In response to a negative determination, the scorekeeper may repeatedly execute step 807, namely, at step 807 the golfer may signal that he is at the hole (step 807).

After a positive determination at either step 803 or 807, the scorekeeper may store the hole location (step 809). The scorekeeper may add the hole location, for example, to row 327 of FIG. 3, including, at least, latitude 331 and longitude 332. Processing may terminate thereafter.

It is appreciated, that the data processing system, that supports the flowcharts of FIG. 4-8 can be entirely contained to an arm-worn device shown in FIG. 2. However, for purposes of keeping sizing to a minimum, some features, such as the display and/or input devices can be placed in a second device, that communicates wireless to the first device, worn on the arm, thereby creating a division of labor for each of the devices to permit them to be sized appropriately for the task at hand. Accordingly, the arm-worn device may have fewer than all the parts described at FIG. 1, so long as the corresponding parts are elsewhere in the wireless system of devices. As such, the second device, can operate as a user interface and/or display, to present and receive information in a more direct and overt manner from the golfer, while the arm-worn device can be used to collect motion data connected with arm swings.

As such, the arm-worn device may repeatedly perform step 403 of FIG. 4, above, and with respect to its results, transmit them out to the second device for further processing. Similarly, the second device, may initiate and terminate the arm-worn device to, respectively, begin and end a loop for detecting swing candidates and correspondingly transmitting results to another unit in the system. Thus, some measure of battery use may be conserved in the arm-worn device. It is appreciated, that when describing an arm-worn device, above, that the device merely be amenable to being worn on the arm. Accordingly, the device merely be light enough to be placed on an arm without discomfort or perceptible ill-effect on a golf swing.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The invention can take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment containing both hardware and software elements. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is implemented in software, which includes but is not limited to firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.

Furthermore, the invention can take the form of a computer program product accessible from a computer-usable or computer-readable storage device providing program code for use by or in connection with a computer or any instruction execution system. For the purposes of this description, a computer-usable or computer readable storage device can be any tangible apparatus that can store the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

The computer-readable storage device can be an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or semiconductor system (or apparatus or device). Examples of a computer-readable storage device include a semiconductor or solid state memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic disk and an optical disk. Current examples of optical disks include compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), compact disk-read/write (CD-R/W) and DVD

Input/output or I/O devices (including but not limited to keyboards, displays, pointing devices, etc.) can be coupled to the system either directly or through intervening I/O controllers.

Network adapters may also be coupled to the system to enable the data processing system to become coupled to other data processing systems or remote printers or computer readable tangible storage devices through intervening private or public networks. Modems, cable modem and Ethernet cards are just a few of the currently available types of network adapters.

The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for collecting golf stroke information, the method comprising: detecting a first swing candidate, the first swing candidate having a first location associated therewith, and in response determining whether secondary swing candidates fail to be received for a predetermined time thereafter or distance from the first location; in response to a determination of no swing candidates being for a predetermined time thereafter or distance from the first location, storing the first location, first prompting a golfer to indicate whether zero, one or more strokes are to be associated with a last received swing candidate; receiving a first feedback from the golfer indicating at least one stroke, and in response, updating a score to reflect at the least one stroke, and storing the first location; detecting a second swing candidate, the second swing candidate having a second location associated therewith, and in response, determining whether no secondary swing candidates are received for a predetermined time thereafter or distance from the second location; in response to a determination of no secondary swing candidates being received for a predetermined time thereafter or distance from the second location storing the second location, second prompting the golfer to indicate whether zero, one or more strokes are to be associated with a last received swing candidate; and receiving a second feedback from the golfer indicating at least one stroke, and in response, updating the score to reflect at the least one stroke, and storing the second location.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein first prompting and second prompting further comprises signaling a vibration generator.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: in response to a determination of no swing candidates being for a predetermined time thereafter or distance from the first location, obtaining a club identity used to produce at least one stroke; and collecting distance information associated with the club identity to form a statistical distribution concerning golf ball distances associated with the club identity to a golfer, and displaying a statistic related to the club identity.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of obtaining the club identity is by receiving a signal from a radio transponder connected to the club.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the radio transponder is designed to emit detectable signals up to 10 centimeters from the radio transponder.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying each location in a map showing relative locations of each of the first location and the second location with respect to features of a golf course, wherein the features comprise at least two selected from the group consisting of a location of the tee; a location of the green; a location of the pin; a location of a hazard and a location of a fairway.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising displaying a distance of the golfer, wherein the distance is to the second location or to a current hole.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: uploading at least the first location and the second location, each with a respective score cumulative up to each respective location to a server, wherein the cumulative score is one selected from the group consisting of strokes recorded by the golfer since beginning a round of golf, and strokes recorded by the golfer since teeing off.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining that the golfer is located on a green, and in response determining whether a location of the hole corresponding to the green is available from a public source; in response to a determination that the green is not available from a public source, determining that hole coordinates are unavailable, and in response, soliciting the golfer to walk to the hole; and receiving a signal that golfer is at the hole, and in response, storing the hole location.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising, prompting the golfer to confirm a stroke count, including any penalties, from a corresponding tee to the hole.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of prompting the golfer to confirm a stroke count further comprises, displaying the first location and the second location stored since a last tee-off, on a display to the golfer.
 12. A computer program product for collecting golf stroke information, the computer program product comprising: one or more computer-readable storage devices and program instructions, stored thereon the program instructions comprising: computer usable program code configured to detect a first swing candidate, the first swing candidate having a first location associated therewith; computer usable program code configured to determine whether secondary swing candidates fail to be received for a predetermined time thereafter or distance from the first location, in response to detecting a first swing candidate, the first swing candidate having a first location associated therewith; computer usable program code configured to store the first location, first prompting a golfer to indicate whether zero, one or more strokes are to be associated with a last received swing candidate, in response to a determination of no swing candidates being for a predetermined time thereafter or distance from the first location; computer usable program code configured to receive a first feedback from the golfer indicating at least one stroke; computer usable program code configured to update a score to reflect at the least one stroke, and storing the first location, in response to receiving the first feedback from the golfer indicating at least one stroke; computer usable program code configured to detect a second swing candidate, the second swing candidate having a second location associated therewith; computer usable program code configured to determine whether no secondary swing candidates are received for a predetermined time thereafter or distance from the second location, in response to detecting the second swing candidate; computer usable program code configured to second prompt the golfer to indicate whether zero, one or more strokes are to be associated with a last received swing candidate, in response to detecting no secondary swing candidates are received for a predetermined time thereafter or distance from the second location; and computer usable program code configured to receive a second feedback from the golfer indicating at least one stroke; computer usable program code configured to update the score to reflect at the least one stroke, and storing the second location, in response to receiving the second feedback from the golfer indicating at least one stroke.
 13. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein first prompting and second prompting further comprises signaling a vibration generator.
 14. The computer program product of claim 12, further comprising: computer usable program code configured to store the second location, in response to a determination of no secondary swing candidates being received for a predetermined time thereafter or distance from the second location; computer usable program code configured to second prompt the golfer to indicate whether zero, one or more strokes are to be associated with a last received swing candidate; and computer usable program code configured to receive a second feedback from the golfer indicating at least one stroke; computer usable program code configured to update the score to reflect at the least one stroke, and storing the second location, in response to receiving the second feedback from the golfer indicating at least one stroke; computer usable program code configured to obtain a club identity used to produce at least one stroke by receiving a signal from a radio transponder connected to the club, in response to the determination of no swing candidates being for a predetermined time thereafter or distance from the first location; and computer usable program code configured to collect distance information associated with the club identity to form a statistical distribution concerning golf ball distances associated with the club identity to a golfer, and display a statistic related to the club identity.
 15. The computer program product of claim 12, further comprising: computer usable program code configured to display each location in a map showing relative locations of each of the first location and the second location with respect to features of a golf course, wherein the features comprise at least two selected from the group consisting of a location of the tee; a location of the green; a location of the pin; a location of a hazard and a location of a fairway.
 16. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising displaying a distance of the golfer, wherein the distance is to the second location or to a current hole.
 17. The computer program product of claim 12, further comprising: computer usable program code configured to upload at least the first location and the second location, each with a respective score cumulative up to each respective location to a server, wherein the cumulative score is one selected from the group consisting of strokes recorded by the golfer since beginning a round of golf, and strokes recorded by the golfer since teeing off.
 18. A computer system for collecting golf stroke information, the computer system comprising: one or more processors, one or more computer-readable memories, one or more computer-readable storage devices and program instructions, stored on the one or more storage devices for execution by the one or more processors via the one or more memories, the program instructions comprising: computer usable program code configured to detect a first swing candidate, the first swing candidate having a first location associated therewith; computer usable program code configured to determine whether secondary swing candidates fail to be received for a predetermined time thereafter or distance from the first location, in response to detecting a first swing candidate, the first swing candidate having a first location associated therewith; computer usable program code configured to store the first location, first prompting a golfer to indicate whether zero, one or more strokes are to be associated with a last received swing candidate, in response to a determination of no swing candidates being for a predetermined time thereafter or distance from the first location; computer usable program code configured to receive a first feedback from the golfer indicating at least one stroke; computer usable program code configured to update a score to reflect at the least one stroke, and storing the first location, in response to receiving the first feedback from the golfer indicating at least one stroke; computer usable program code configured to detect a second swing candidate, the second swing candidate having a second location associated therewith; computer usable program code configured to determine whether no secondary swing candidates are received for a predetermined time thereafter or distance from the second location, in response to detecting the second swing candidate; computer usable program code configured to second prompt the golfer to indicate whether zero, one or more strokes are to be associated with a last received swing candidate, in response to detecting no secondary swing candidates are received for a predetermined time thereafter or distance from the second location; and computer usable program code configured to receive a second feedback from the golfer indicating at least one stroke; computer usable program code configured to update the score to reflect at the least one stroke, and storing the second location, in response to receiving the second feedback from the golfer indicating at least one stroke.
 19. The computer system of claim 18, wherein first prompting and second prompting further comprises signaling a vibration generator.
 20. The computer system of claim 18, further comprising: computer usable program code configured to store the second location, in response to a determination of no secondary swing candidates being received for a predetermined time thereafter or distance from the second location; computer usable program code configured to second prompt the golfer to indicate whether zero, one or more strokes are to be associated with a last received swing candidate; and computer usable program code configured to receive a second feedback from the golfer indicating at least one stroke; computer usable program code configured to update the score to reflect at the least one stroke, and storing the second location, in response to receiving the second feedback from the golfer indicating at least one stroke; computer usable program code configured to obtain a club identity used to produce at least one stroke by receiving a signal from a radio transponder connected to the club, in response to the determination of no swing candidates being for a predetermined time thereafter or distance from the first location; and computer usable program code configured to collect distance information associated with the club identity to form a statistical distribution concerning golf ball distances associated with the club identity to a golfer, and display a statistic related to the club identity.
 21. The computer system of claim 18, further comprising: computer usable program code configured to display each location in a map showing relative locations of each of the first location and the second location with respect to features of a golf course, wherein the features comprise at least two selected from the group consisting of a location of the tee; a location of the green; a location of the pin; a location of a hazard and a location of a fairway.
 22. The computer system of claim 21, further comprising displaying a distance of the golfer, wherein the distance is to the second location or to a current hole.
 23. The computer system of claim 18, further comprising: computer usable program code configured to upload at least the first location and the second location, each with a respective score cumulative up to each respective location to a server, wherein the cumulative score is one selected from the group consisting of strokes recorded by the golfer since beginning a round of golf, and strokes recorded by the golfer since teeing off. 